Our Mission
“To become an efficient transit system capable of meeting the employment, social and medical transportation needs of the citizens of Gary as well as Northwest Indiana, while stimulating economic development within the City of Gary.”
Our History
The City of Gary purchased Gary Intercity Lines in 1974 and created Gary Public Transportation Corp. through enabling legislation. GPTC made transit a priority since the launch of the region’s first modern intercity bus routes in 1996, which connected Gary, Hammond and East Chicago. Since then, GPTC has improved service in Gary while adding service to areas of Calumet Township, Crown Point, Griffith, Highland, Hobart, Merrillville and Munster. These improvements have included more service, infrastructure modernization and improved connections. GPTC views its role as having a large stake in community development, employment, intermodal transit, and overall growth of the region.
Regulation & Supervision of GPTC
Responsible for providing public transportation service within Gary, Indiana, GPTC has the ability to determine its routes, equipment, facilities, and the standards of service to be provided. The Corporation has taxing power, may issue bonds and holds condemnation powers. In addition, GPTC is subject to the regulation of the Utility Regulatory Commission of Indiana.
Principal Management Staff
Clay Cates - General ManagerClay C. Cates was appointed General Manager by the Gary Public Transportation Corporation (GPTC) Board of Directors in August 2021. Prior to this appointment, Cates served as the Grants/Procurement Oversight Director since beginning employment with GPTC in January 2007. This position also had oversight responsibility for Planning & Marketing. Cates was briefly interim General Manager in 2015. Cates is a lifelong resident of Northwest Indiana, and a graduate of Roosevelt High School and Indiana University. Cates came to GPTC following successful employment tenures with Ivy Tech Community College and Workforce Development Services where he held several management level positions.
Jeff Wilson - Deputy General Manager - Administration
Freddy McMillon - Finance Director
VACANT - Director of Grants/Procurement Oversight
Rodney Mahone - Director of Maintenance/Facility Manager
David Wright - Planning and Marketing Manager
VACANT - Director of Human Resources
GPTC bus drivers, maintenance, janitorial and dispatch personnel are represented by Local 517 of the Amalgamated Transit Union for collective bargaining purposes.
Our Board of Directors
Operating policy for the Gary Public Transportation Corporation is made by a seven member Board of Directors. The Board, which is bipartisan, is appointed by the Mayor and the City Council of the City Gary. The Mayor appoints three members and the Council appoints four members. The Board of Directors develops policies regarding the operation, contracts, safety, financing, organization and structure of the Corporation. To effect these policies, Board members meet regularly in public session. These meetings include the presentations by management staff regarding the operational and financial status of the Corporation.
Stephanie Hulett
Chairperson
Joi Whiteside
Secretary
Will Miller
Benjamin Robinson
Bill Tolbert
Sharon Levels
Anthony Manuel
Board Meetings
GPTC Board Meetings are held the first Thursday of every month (except the month of December unless otherwise noted) at 5:30 p.m. at the Adam Benjamin Metro Center 3rd floor conference room, 100 West 4th Avenue, Gary, IN 46402.
Board meetings are scheduled for the following dates in 2022 (subject to change):
JANUARY 20, 2022
FEBRUARY 3, 2022
MARCH 3, 2022 (to be held at 2101 W. 35th Avenue)
MARCH 14, 2022 (virtual executive session at 5PM)
APRIL 7, 2022 (to be held at 2101 W. 35th Avenue)
MAY 5, 2022 (to be held at 2101 W. 35th Avenue)
JUNE 9, 2022
JULY 7, 2022
AUGUST 4, 2022
SEPTEMBER 1, 2022
OCTOBER 6, 2022
NOVEMBER 3, 2022
The agenda and Board information for each meeting will be made available to the public on the Tuesday morning before each meeting. Copies are available at the GPTC corporate office or click below for an electronic copy of the most-recently published Board meeting packet.
Due to the pandemic, we have taken proper precautions to prevent the spread of the coronavirus and its variants. A maximum of five members of the public will be allowed to attend Board meetings, masks must be worn at all times, and contact tracing information will be required.
Members of public who cannot attend and have comments/questions to info@gptcbus.com and be sure to include your name and location for the record.